“To clarify for the host:” the system’s voice chimed in before Wang Zhelin could voice another complaint.
“First, this is the Veteran Inheritance System.
Player cards drawn represent icons in the late or twilight stages of their careers.
Second, Card Tier indicates attribute ceilings—a Purple Diamond card raises potential attribute caps up to 99, but does not grant instant 99 overall ratings across every category.” Wang Zhelin stood on the court, blinking.
“Alright, fine.
You’re the system, you call the shots.” Though he grumbled, he knew he was being overly greedy.
Even a 38-year-old Celtics-era Shaquille O’Neal was an incredible draw for a 17-year-old prospect.
Sure, pulling 2009 Phoenix Suns Shaq—who averaged 17.8 points and 8.4 rebounds—or 2007 Miami Shaq would have yielded higher immediate stats, but complaining about receiving historical genetics from the most dominant center in modern history was absurd.
He looked over the raw card stats once more: Lower Body Strength: 95.
Upper Body Strength: 91.
Close Shot: 76.
Layup: 78…
“Mine,” Wang Zhelin whispered, a grin spreading across his face.
“It’s all mine.” Comparing late-career Shaq’s baseline to his own 17-year-old profile was humbling.
Aside from his current speed advantage (40 to Shaq’s 32) and mid-range touch (44 to Shaq’s 35), the 38-year-old Diesel outclassed him in every physical and skill category.
One stat on the card, however, caught his attention.
“System, why is O’Neal’s Injury Resistance an 81?
That seems way too high for a guy who was missing twenty games a year late in his career.” “Calculation verified,” the system responded immediately.
“Shaquille O’Neal never suffered a career-ending structural injury despite playing at over 330 pounds for two decades.
This was due to three factors: first, strategic load management during regular seasons to preserve his joints for playoff runs; second, an elite understanding of leverage and body positioning that minimized unnecessary wear; and third, pure physical durability.” Wang Zhelin nodded thoughtfully.
That actually makes sense.
Shaq’s willingness to rest during the regular season had cost him extra MVP awards, but it preserved his body well enough to play nineteen seasons and win four titles.
Not to mention, Wang Zhelin remembered, the guy earned a doctorate in education from Barry University a year after retiring.
He was always smarter than people gave him credit for.
“System, how do I actually equip and inherit the card?” “Switch to the Personal Profile menu and drag the Legacy Card onto your profile icon.” Wang Zhelin focused his mind, selecting the glowing violet card and sliding it over his avatar.
The card dissolved into a cascade of purple light, absorbing directly into his chest.
“Ding!
Legacy Card successfully linked.
Host may choose to inherit the complete attribute template of Shaquille O’Neal (2010–11) or perform a selective trait extraction.” “Selective extraction,” Wang Zhelin replied without hesitation.
“Exclude speed, mid-range, three-point, and free throws.
I’ll keep my own baselines for those.” “Selection acknowledged.” “Wait!” Wang Zhelin interjected.
“What about physical dimensions?
Can I inherit physical frame traits like height, wingspan, and hand size?” If he could inherit Shaq’s static physical traits, he could shed the “short wingspan” label entirely.
Shaq’s hand size and 231cm wingspan potential were historical physical anomalies.
“Static physical frame traits may be selectively merged into the host’s growth baseline,” the system confirmed.
Wang Zhelin let out a loud laugh.
“Yes!
Perfect!” He paused, considering the weight stat.
In the 2010–11 season, Shaq was listed at an official 155 kg (341 lbs).
“Can I adjust the weight target?
I don’t want to jump straight to 340 pounds right now.
I need to protect my knees and ankles for the long haul, especially with where modern basketball is heading.” “Physical mass scaling can be customized within safe biological limits.” “Set my target physical frame to 112 kg (~246 lbs) for now,” Wang Zhelin instructed.
In an era heading rapidly toward high-paced perimeter play, carrying a mobile 112 kg on a 212 cm frame at seventeen would make him a physical monster inside without sacrificing fluid movement.
The interface pulsed, refreshing his updated personal profile: UPDATED PLAYER PROFILE Name: Wang Zhelin Affiliation: Fujian Youth Team / China U17 National Youth Team Age: 17 Position: Center Height: 212 cm (~6’11.5″) (+2 cm frame growth) Weight: 112 kg (~246 lbs) (+7 kg strength mass) Wingspan: 227 cm (~7’5.3″) (+13 cm structural extension) Hand Length: 27.9 cm (~11.0 in) PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES Lower Body Strength: 66 (+6) Upper Body Strength: 60 (+11) Speed: 40 Agility: 52 (+1) Vertical Leap: 45 Stamina: 49 (+2) Durability / Injury Resistance: 58 (+13) OFFENSIVE SKILLS Close Shot: 51 (+15) Layups: 62 (+4) Mid-Range Shooting: 44 Three-Point Shooting: 25 Dunking: 55 (+4) Passing Vision & Accuracy: 33 (+1) Ball Handling: 46 (+1) Free Throw: 55 Post Isolation / Drive: 33 DEFENSIVE SKILLS Perimeter Defense: 25 Interior Defense: 38 (+7) Rebounding: 43 Block: 45 (+7) Steal: 33 (+8) OVERALL RATING: 52 (CBA Import / High-Tier Domestic Starter Level) EVALUATION: Significant physical growth and elite frame expansion.
Possesses top-tier interior potential.
Skill refinement recommended before high-level international exposure.
EQUIPPED TALENTS & TRAITS: Innate Power (Purple Diamond): Unlocks MAX strength ceiling (99).
Paint Dominator (Silver+): Enhances contact finishes within 3 seconds of receiving the ball in the paint.
Grants temporary team stamina recovery (+5%) following a successful contact dunk or physical finish.
Wang Zhelin felt a sudden warmth spread through his shoulders, back, and arms as his frame adapted to the updated specs.
His standing reach felt noticeably longer, his grip on the basketball far firmer.
Standing at 212 cm with a 227 cm wingspan and a 52 overall rating at just seventeen years old, he was no longer just a promising domestic prospect—he was built to dominate.